I have recently heard the argument that in the Modern History of East Asia a Neo-Confucian revolt was needed before a state could modernize. This was applied to Japan and China as well as Korea's struggle in modernisation. I was wondering what people's views were on this line of thinking. Do you agree? Why? and if not do you see any trends in the modernization of these three countries?
Hmm can OP provide a bit more specific detail on Neo-Confucian revolts? This sounds very interesting.